#133 Childbirth Reimagined - From Academic to Family Advocate with Dr. Rebecca Dekker

In a pivotal life event, Rebecca Dekker, found herself deeply dissatisfied with the childbirth experience after giving birth to her first baby. 

Even though she had a PhD in nursing and was an assistant professor, she vividly recalls feeling restricted—unable to move or eat during labor, and then being separated from her newborn daughter for three crucial hours post-birth under the guise of monitoring. This stark experience ignited her quest for answers, leading her to uncover that these practices lacked evidence-based support.

Driven by her personal encounter, Rebecca embarked on a mission to transform childbirth practices. Founding Evidence Based Birth, she dedicated herself to ensuring that families have access to empowering, evidence-based care during childbirth. 

Her book, "Babies Are Not Pizzas. They're Born, Not Delivered," and her popular podcast amplify her commitment to making childbirth research accessible to all. Rebecca's journey underscores the importance of challenging outdated norms and advocating for informed decision-making in maternity care.

Throughout the episode, Dr. Dekker passionately emphasizes the need for evidence-based practices in childbirth. Her transition from academia to entrepreneurship was not merely a career shift but a calling fueled by personal experience. 

By sharing her story and research, she empowers expectant families to question prevailing norms and demand respectful, informed care during one of life's most transformative moments. Join us as we explore Dr. Rebecca Dekker's remarkable journey and the profound impact of evidence-based advocacy in childbirth.

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*Lilly Nichols Books:

https://lilynicholsrdn.com/books/ 

*Gestational Diabetes blogs: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/gestational-diabetes-and-the-glucola-test/

https://evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-on-induction-for-gestational-diabetes/ 

Want to connect with Dr. Rebecca?

Website: www.evidencebasedbirth.com  and podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/evidence-based-birth/id1334808138

Instagram: @ebbirth

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@EvidenceBasedBirth

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